Time-control element for electric clocks.



B. B. CLEMENT.

TIME CONTROL ELEMENT FOR ELECTRIC GLOGKS.

APPLICATION FILEDJUNE 29, I910.

Patented May 12, 1914.

3 SHEETSSI HEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPN co ,wASHINflTON, D. c.

E. E. CLEMENT.

TIME CONTROL ELEMENT FOR ELECTRIC GLOGKS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1910.

1 ,096,681. Patented May 12,1914.

3 SHEET8SHEET 2.

coLUMBlA ELANOGRAPH 00., WASHINGTO D-c.

E. E. CLEMENT.

TIME CONTROL ELEMENT FOR ELECTRIC CLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1910.

1,096,681. MM May 12, 1914.

a SHEETS-SHEET a.

El 1% iiiii EDWARD E. CLEMENT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TIME-CONTROL ELEMENT FOR ELECTRIC CLOCKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 12, 1914.

Original application filed April 18, 1910, Serial No. 556,213. Dividedand this application filed. June 29,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD E. CLEMENT, acitizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District ofColumbia, have invented certain new and useful Im provements in Time-Control Elements for Electric Clocks, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to electric clocks and has for its objecttheprovision of an improved time element controller therefor.

Briefly stated, the invention comprises a pendulum or balance wheel withmeans to actuate it positively in opposite directions at periodicrecurring intervals, the length of which is determined by the movementof the device itself. The application of power in each direction iscontinuous and automatic, and means are provided for accurate adjustmentand calibration when necessary.

This application is a division of my prior application Serial No.556,213, filed April 18, 1910.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure1 is a front view of the pendulum with actuating and testing mechanism.Figs. 2 and 3 are detail figures of parts thereof. Fig. 4 is a diagramof the actuating circuits. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bridge. -Fig. 6is a longitudinal section on the line az-w of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a faceview. Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line g of Fig. 7,

and Fig. 9 is a rear elevation. Figs. 10 and 11 are front and sideelevations respectively, of the upper portion of the pendulum.

Referring to the drawings the control element therein illustrated issupposed to be a standard seconds pendulum generally designated by theletter P, and mounted to swing upon a knife edge p in a bridge P securedupon a back plate P In Figs. 1 and ft R and R are relays controlled bythe pendulum in its swing which in turn controls the workingelectromagnets E and E, whose armature levers e and c act upon oppositelever arms 79 and p attached to a rocking plate 79 carrying a spring 79which at its lower end is fitted with oppositely projecting lugs 79 and79 carrying studs 19 and p which straddle the pendulum rod 19", alsocarrying contacts p and 79 which cooperate with contact springs p and prespectively mounted upon adjustable legs 39 and Serial No. 569,607.

72 which are pivoted at p in a recess 19 behind the bridge P, and carryat their ex tremities lugs 79 and p with adjusting slots playing on setscrews 72 and 79 by means of which the contacts 79 and p can be set atany desired angle to the pendulum and there locked.

In order to fully understand the mounting of the pendulum, it should beobserved that Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through theupper part of the pendulum and the bridge. This figure shows thependulum rod 7?, terminal portions of the spring 79 (the middle part ofwhich is broken away to show the contact spring 72 also the ad'- justingleg 79 the head of the twin leg 39 the recess 79" in which they arepivoted, and the pivot screw p by which they are secured. This figurealso shows the bridge P, having a central depression to receive theprism 79, whose lower edge constitutes the knife edge upon which thependulum swings. The arrangement of the rocking plate 19 alsoappears inFig. 3 as well as in Fig. 2, the latter figure being a side view of thesame parts shown in section in Fig. 4 but looking from the other side,that is to say looking toward the left in Fig. 1. This rocking plate hasa body 29 bent under the bridge at p and carrying ears p which areriveted together through the upper end of the spring 79, so as to holdthe latter rigidly in line with the plate. This plate is centrallypivoted to rock on the shoulder screw 77 and it should be observed thatthe two screws 79 and 29 are so located in the opposite faces of thebridge, that a line drawn through the rocking knife edge 79 exactlycoincides with the axes of both screws, whereby the legs 79 and 79 thelevers 79 and W, the plate 79 and the pendulum P all turn upon preciselythe same center. This coincidence of centers is intended to secureperfect adjustment, lack of friction or lost motion, and accuracy ofmovement. In order to render the pendulum still more accurate, I haveprovided for balancing up the entire plate P For this purpose levelingscrews 9, g are held in brackets Q, Q, and receive upon their upperpoints the ears or lugs 79, p on opposite sides of the plate P Theseears extend forwardly as well as outwardly over the edges of the platefrom which it will be observed I preferably mount the relays and workingmagnets as already stated.

to facilitate the mechanical association of.

the magnets E, E and the pendulum, I prefer the mounting shown. Byraising and lowering the screws g, the plate P may be angularly shiftedin opposite directions, so as to secure equidistance between theopposite contacts and therefore an equal travel in both directions, butfor adjusting the plate perpendicularly to the plane in which thependulum swings, I provide a counterweight W provided with a locknut wand mounted on a threaded stud projecting perpendicularly to the plate PIn order topermit the pendulum always to swing in an absolutely verticalplane, I may provide an auxiliary knife edge at p, by suitably formingthe edges of the opening through the metal head 79 of the pendulum rod,which receives the prism 79. Crossed knife edges thus being provided,the pendulum is practically hung in gimbals, and can swing with perfectfreedom.

In order to render adjustment easier, a scale 79 may be provided inconnection with the pendulum if desired, and this scale should berigidly connected to the plate I as by an extension or drop arm thereon.The detailed construction of the bridge is well shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7,8 and 9. The pendulum head 79 passes up through the opening p in thebridge, and the knife edge rocks in the depression 79 which may be ofany desired shape and may be fitted with one or more jewels, or with ahardened bed plate or otherwise arranged as good practice may dictate.

Referring now to Fig. 4, showing the circuit, it is to be understoodthat in the parent case of which this is a division, I have shown anddescribed step by step switches driven by the pendulum, but for thepurposes of my present description, electrical current impulses may besupplied by the pendulum for any purpose through the wires 57 and 59. Inthe parent case the first switch of the set which partly controlled thecircuits of the seconds indicators on the clock, was driven from thewire 57. The actuating magnet of this switch is controlled by the relayR which receives current when the pendulum swings in one direction, andlocks itself on a circuit controlled by the relay 1. which receivescurrent as the pendulum rocks in the opposite direction and opens thelocking circuit so as to cut off the relay R and instantly open thecircuit through wire 57. Thus the operation of this magnet is madepositive as the relay R remains energized during the entire period of ahalf swing of the pendulum. The spring 72 and the contacts 39 p 0 and 79can readily be identified by comparison with Fig. 2. The spring 79 isconnected through wire 33 to the main battery B, or other suitablesource of current, connected on the other side as shown through wire 44to ground or a common return. Contact 79 is connected by wire 34 to therelay R which on the other side is connected through wire 35 to theground or common return. The wire 34 and contact 79 are connected by abranch 36 to normally open contacts 37, 38 of the relay R, thence bywire 39 to the normally closed contacts 40 and 41 of the relay R, andthence by the wire 42 to the battery B, which constitutes a holding orlocking circuit for relay R. Contact 72 on the other hand, is connectedby wire '43 to the relay R which on the other side goes to ground orcommon return. From the wire 43 and contact 29 a branch wire 45 leads tonormally open contacts 46 and 47 of relay R thence by wire 48 to thenormally closed contacts 49 and 50 of the relay R and thence by wire 51to battery. This latter circuit constitutes a locking circuit for relayR.

In operation, when the pendulum swings to the left, contacts 39 and pare closed and the relay R and magnet E are simultaneously energized.Relay R by opening the contacts 49 and 50 will break the locking circuitof relay R which will break the locking circuit of relay R whichthereupon becomes deenergized and makes another opening in its lockingcircuit at contacts td-47. This locking circuit may be traced asfollows: conductor 45, contacts 4647, conductor 48, contacts 4950,conductor 51 to battery lead 33. Simultaneously with the opening ofcontacts 4647, the contacts 40-41 are closed completing the lockingcircuit of relay B. This latter locking circuit of relay R includesconductor 34, 36, 37 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42 which connects to bat terylead 33. When the pendulum swings to the right, contacts 29 -79 areclosed and relay R and magnet E are energized in multiple. Relay R uponenergization opens the locking circuit of relay R at contacts 4041 andpartially closes its own locking circuit at contacts 46-47. The relay R,upon deenergization, completes the locking circuit of relay B throughcontacts 49 50. When the pendulum again swings to the left the relay Ris again energized and the relay R deenergized in the same manner asbefore, and thus the cycle of operations as described is indefinitelyrepeated. Thus each relay and its associated magnet remains energizedduring the entire half swing of the pendulum, whereby energy isconstantly applied. The relays R and R which as already stated controlthe first switch magnet, are connected respectively through wires 52 and53 to the branch wires 36 and 45,

that is to say to the contacts 37 and 46, f

whereby they receive current at opposite ends of the stroke of thependulum also. The Working magnets E, E, are shown in parallel with therelays R, R included in branch wires 54 and 55, but of course they canbe controlled by the said relays through local circuits if desired.Further if desired the relays R B may be made of sufficient size tothemselves actuate the pendulum as well as the interlocking contactsassociated with them, and the relay controlled actuating magnets E E maybe omitted.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is 1. A time control element for electric clock systemscomprising a support, a bridge thereon, a pendulum mounted to swing insaid bridge, a pair of oppositely arranged actuating magnets for thependulum, additional mechanical means adapted to be positively placedunder tension in opposite directions by said magnets when alternatelyenergized, and to communicate said tension to the pendulum during itsentire swing, and adjustable contact devices connected to said magnetsand adapted to be closed by the pendulum at opposite extreme points inits travel.

2. A time control element for electric clock systems comprising apendulum, a pair of oppositely disposed contacts controlled thereby, apair of interlocking relays separately connected to the oppositecontacts, and a pair of oppositely arranged actuating magnets controlledby said relays.

8. A time control element for electric clock systems comprising asupport, a pendulum hung to swing thereon, a pair of oppositely disposedpendulum contacts carried thereon, a pair of oppositely disposedmagnets, a pair of oppositely extending radial actuating arms secured atthe head of the pendulum rod, a pair of levers carrying armatures forsaid electromagnets and adapted when the same are attracted to actpositively upon the opposite pendulum arms, and connections between saidradial actuating arms and said pendulum through which energy from theclectro-magnets is transmitted to the pendulum.

4. In a time control element for electric clock systems, a swingingpendulum, a pair of pivoted contact supports pivoted in proximity to thecenter of oscillation of the pendulum, contacts fixed thereon, andadjustable means moving with the pendulum to cooperate with saidcontacts and close the same in alternate succession.

A controlling device for electric clocks comprising a mechanical elementhaving a determinate natural period of movement, and electromagneticactuating means automatically controlled in the periodic movement andadapted to communicate energy to said moving element during the periodof its energization, which includes the period of retarding action ofgravity on said element to counteract the retarding effect on saidelement of gravity and other external causes.

6. A controlling device for electric clocks comprising a moving elementhaving a determinate natural period, electromagnetic means for directlyapplying energy to the moving element at one extreme of its movement,and means for maintaining said application during a definite period oftime thereafter, said means controlled in the operation of theelectromagnetic actuating means.

7. Controlling means for electric clocks comprising an oscillatingelement having a determinate natural period, electromagnetic meansenergized at the end of each oscillation of said element for applyingenergy to a said oscillating element at the end of each oscillation andduring the period 0]": the immediately succeeding oscillation, and meansfor maintaining each application of energy to render it effective duringthe entire succeeding oscillation.

8. A controlling element for electric clocks comprising the followinginstrumentalities: a base or support, a bridge secured thereto, apendulum hung on said bridge so as to oscillate with respect to thesupport, electro magnetic actuating means for the pendulum, andcontrolling contacts for said electromagnetic means, each contactmounted on a rigid and positively adjustable arm pivoted at the centerof oscillation of thependulum, and cooperating contacts moving with thependulum, whereby adjustment of the contacts may be effected angularlywith respect to the are of oscillation.

9. A controlling element for electric clocks comprising the followinginstrumentalities: a support, a bridge rigidly secured thereto, apendulum pivoted on said bridge, electromagnetic actuating means for thependulum, and controlling contacts for said actuating means comprisingswinging contacts moving with the pendulum and relatively fixed contactsangularly adjustable with respect to the arc of oscillation.

10. A controlling element for electric clocks comprising the followinginstrumentalities; a support, a bridge, a pendulum pivoted to swingfreely 011 said bridge, a contact as moving with the pendulum, and acooperating contact, a supporting arm carrying said latter contact andpivoted in the axis of oscillationof the pendulum, together with meansto secure said arm in relatively fixed position with respect to thependulum when adjusted angularly around the pivot to secure adeterminate travel betweenthe contacts 37 and 70 11. A controllingelement for electric clocks comprising the following" instrumentalities:a support, a pendulum pivoted thereon, a rocking plate pivoted in theaxis of oscillation of the pendulum, a spring secured to the rockingplate and carrying means to engage the pendulum rod, a pair of radialarms secured'to the rocking plate, and a pair of actuatingelectromagnets adapted to act on said armsso as to impart oppositemotion to the pendulum.

12. Controlling meansfor electric clocks comprising an oscillatingelement having a determinate natural period, oppositely disposedelectro-magnetic means adapted while energized to apply energy to saidoscillating element in opposite directions, and holding means associatedwith each electro-magnetic means operable upon energization of itsassociated electro-magnetic means to maintain said"energization anddisable the holding means associated with the other electro-mag neticmeans, whereby a constant application of energy is maintained. I

13. Control-ling means'for electric clocks comprising an oscillatingelement having a determinate natural period, oppositely arranged electro-magnetic means adapted while energized to apply energy to saidoscillating element 1n opposite directions, means operablemt'the' end ofeach oscillation of said oscillating element'to initially energizeoneofsaid electro-magneticmeans, and holding means associated withelectro-magnetic means and each operable upon energization of itsassociated electro-magnetic means to maintain saidenergization anddisable the holding means associated with the other electro-magneticmeans.

14:. Controlling means for electric clocks comprising an oscillatingelement having a determinate natural period, oppositely arranged-electro -magnetic means adapted while energized to apply energy to saidoscillating element in opposite directions, means operable at the end ofeach oscillation of said oscillating element to initially energize oneof said electro-magnetic means, and a locking circuit for eachelectro-magnetic means adapted to be closed upon the energization of itsassociated electro-magnetic means and to be opened upon the actuation ofthe other electromagnetic means.

15. h Ieans for imparting movement to an oscillating element comprisingdriving means operating upon said oscillating element in oppositedirections, controlling relays for each of said driving meansalternately energized through the movement of said oscillating element,and a locking circuit for each relay adapted to be closed upon theenergization of its associated relay and to be opened upon theenergization of the other relay.

16. A time control element for electric clock'systems comprising anadjustable supportya bridge thereon, a pendulum mounted to swingin'said' bridge, a pair of oppositely.

arranged =actuating magnets for the pendulum each having al'ocki'ngcircuit adapted to be opened uponthe energlzatlon of the othermagnet, mechanical means adapted to dulum at opposite points in itstravel, Whereby the magnets are alternately energized and each "magnetremains energized until the energization of the other.

17 A time control element for electric clocks comprising a endulum, apair of oppositely arranged e ectr'o-ma gnets for impartingenergy'thereto in opposite directions, and a resilient transmitter levercommon to b'oth'magnets'and adapted to transmit 'ower therefrom to thependulum alternate yin opposite directions,whereby retentiv'eness in theresilient lever is'counteracted.

'18.'A time control element for electric clocksystems comprisinga'support, a pendulum inounted to swing thereon and interlockingelectro-magnets acting oppositely on said pendulum whereby through theactuation of one electlo-magnet the other is deenergized.

19. A time control element for electric clock systems comprising asupport, a pendulummounted to swing thereon and interlockingelectro-magnets \alcting oppositely on said pendulum whereby through theactuation of one electromagnet the other is deenergized, together withcircuit controllingmeans governing the actuation of said electro-magnetsoperable approximately at the end of each oscillation of the pendulumwhereby each actuating magnet is rendered eflfective throughout theentire oscillation of said pendulum.

20. A controlling element for electric clocks comprising thefollowinginstrumentalities: fixed supports, a swinging support adjustably carriedthereon, a pendulum pivoted on said swinging support, a rocking platewith anactuating spring and radial arms pivoted in the axis ofoscillation of the pendulum, a pair of contact arms also pivotedapproximately in said axis of oscillation, locking means as therefore,contacts moving with the pendulum, and cooperating contacts carried onsaid pivoted arms, together with actuating magnets also carried on theswinging support and adapted to act oppositely on the arms 79 79 21. Atime control element for electric systems comprising a support, apendulum mounted to swing thereon, a plurality of electromagneticallyactuated means adapted one to'apply energy to the pendulum duringoscillation in one direct-ion, and the other to apply energy duringoscillation in the other direction, control devices for saidelectromagnetically actuated means actuated one at each extreme point ofoscillation of said pendulum, said controlling devices comprising meansto simultaneously enable one of said electromagnetically actuated meansto apply energy to the said pendulum, and disable the other, whereby thesupply of energy to said pendulum in one direction is cut off and asupply of energy in the other out on 10 precisely at the extreme pointsof oscillation of said pendulum.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EDlVARD E. CLEMENT.

lVit-nesses:

THOMAS DURANT, H. F. LoWENsTEIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C.

